Page 122 of Positively, Penelope

An unspoken understanding passed across his features and he released a sigh, drawing her hand into his as they sat across the small table from each other. Her breath squeezed in her throat, eyes beginning the same threatening burn she always felt when she began counting down the days to her departure.

His brows pinched as he smoothed his fingers over hers. “You must know that I’m determined to try to make this work. You and me. Even after you leave.”

“Me too.” Her voice scratched over the words.

“And I realize it will be a sacrifice for both of us.”

“I... I could stay, Matthias.” She searched his face, her vision blurring. “I’m sure if I told Jackie the reasons, she’d understand. She’s already heard so much about you and Iris.”

He looked down at their hands, his breath coming slowly. “You can’t know how much it means for me to hear you say that.” He brought her hand up to his lips and then met her gaze. “And I would love for you to stay.”

Her heart shook in her chest with the suddenness of the change in her decision. There was no doubt she could find joy working at The Darling House under Gwynn’s direction and living in Skymar... so far from home. Even if she needed to adjust her plans, she could do it. For them. Of course she could.

She’d thought about it dozens of times. With a deep breath, she embraced the choice. “I don’t want to leave you and Iris, and I’d have the least to give up.”

“I don’t know if that’s necessarily true, luv. You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make your dream come true.”

“But you’re a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity too.”

“You shouldn’t have to make that choice, Penelope.” His smile gentled and he gave her fingers another squeeze. “There may come a time when you do, but not right now. I’ve had opportunity to practice many things I’ve loved and have come to know myself better over the past few years. And enjoyed the support and love of my family in the process. You need that too.” He shook his head. “If you stayed in Skymar, you’d be staying for me.” He drew in a breath as if garnering some courage. “And I want you to stay foryou.No regrets.”

“But when people love each other, they make sacrifices.”

His grin slanted in such a sweet way. “You love me, do you?”

The declaration had slipped out with such ease, she didn’t even realize she’d never spoken it aloud. She’d written it in her journal plenty of times. “I do.”

“Funny about that.” His gaze met hers. “I feel the same. And because I love you, and because Iknowyou, I realize your heart still longs for home and your family. And that is good and fine and right.”

“But I want to be with you too.” Her throat closed around the words. How could she have both? She couldn’t. Not in the same place, and her heart felt like it was ripping apart.

“So here’s what we’re going to do.” He held her gaze, his brows taking a determined dip. “We’re going to enjoy the time we have left together here in Skymar. We’re going to succeed in having the best performance ofThe Sound of Musicthat this theater has ever put on.” He swallowed hard. “And then you’re going to go home and celebrate Christmas with your family, lavish love on your niece and nephew, and begin this new job of yours.”

“And you?”

“I will be here to help Grandfather and Gwynn sort out Gwynn’s new role in the theater and reconnect with Alec.” His gaze roamed her face with such sweet adoration. “And I will ring you and write you often, and find ways to fly to North Carolina.”

“It would be easier for me to come here,” she added quickly. “A ticket for one instead of two.”

He cleared his throat and her heart lurched at the idea of him reining in his own emotions. “We’ll make this work.”

“We will.” She knew the statistics about long-distance relationships, though. She’d looked them up. Four times, in hopes of a different answer with each new search. Very few relationships survived. Of course, at first everything seemed like it would work, but over time, one or the other grew tired of waiting.

She stared into the eyes she’d grown to love so much and squeezed his hand as if making a promise to herself that this would be one of the successes. She didn’t know how, but she was determined to beat the odds.

A few miracles would be welcome too.

Chapter23

Matt stood just behind the curtain with Penelope at his side, both peering out on the stage for the opening night ofThe Sound of Music. If miracles were on the menu for the past three weeks, The Darling House had gotten a full feast.

Of all people, Alec had been the one to secure the nearly impossible rights for them to performThe Sound of Musicwhen a touring company was performing it in the same city. With all his connections, he’d pushed to make it happen as a sort of olive branch. And the rights holders, once they heard the story of what had happened, agreed. Miracle number one.

But the bigger miracle had been in the slow progress Alec was making in working through his grief and reconciling with his family. He still had a long way to go in earning Gwynn’s trust, but Matt had seen him begin to love spending time with his family and the theater again, and that was a good indication of the trajectory of his heart. Because his business had suffered from his actions, he’d sold his apartment in town and moved back in with Grandfather, a good place to share in grief and healing together.

Collecting all the necessary and qualified actors to perform such demanding roles in such a short period of time proved an amazing feat of faith on the part of their community theater. People came together, pulling from all their connections across Skymar, and not only did they succeed, but they created an even stronger network among other independent theaters across the country. Which is likely why the production sold so well.

Community.

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